Novel algorithms allows real-time monitoring and dynamic task allocation to significantly improve cooperation among autonomous robots

 Researchers have built two-dimensional materials-based transistors and used them to design ultra-low power artificial neuron circuits for autonomous robots.

Scientists theoretically probe the atomic properties of the 2D materials under strain

The new method removes heat from batteries more efficiently, while also reducing the overall weight of battery packs.

A set of proteins have been identified from tumour and blood samples for the diagnosis and prognosis of meningiomas that could predict meningioma severity.

The presence of fluoride in groundwater is an environmental concern in more than 20 developed and developing countries, including India. More than 17 states in India have reported cases of fluorosis (the most common health problem due to fluoride), and roughly 66 million people are at risk due to the ingestion of high fluoride containing water. This highlights the seriousness of this problem, and the need for an economical and accessible treatment technology. Use of natural materials such as bone char for defluoridation is one of the most studied

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a major challenge worldwide especially in developing nations like India. Wet biodegradable waste contributes around 40-50% of total MSW generated in India. Composting is considered one of the most feasible options for the biodegradable fraction of MSW due to its operation in aerobic conditions, lesser possibility of odorous emissions and stable end-product which can be used as soil conditioner. However, the long composting period and product quality have been the major concerns.

The modern lifestyle has resulted in the occurrences of a huge number of toxic compounds in various environmental matrices, including water. These include pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, dyes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and many more. One common issue with the treatment of these compounds (called as emerging contaminants) is that the conventional treatment technologies are inefficient in their removal from water and wastewater.

Crude oil often referred to as ‘black gold’, when refined finds applications as wide variety of useful products such as gasoline, diesel and other various petrochemicals. However, spillage of this natural product into the environment by vehicles, vessel or pipelines due to human negligence, equipment breakdown, natural disasters etc forms a major cause for pollution of water bodies. As oil spills, it floats on water and prevents sunlight from reaching the marine ecosystem. The environmental damage caused often result in both intermediate and long-term environmental damage.

Groundwater is heavily withdrawn for irrigation, industrial and municipal purpose thorough out the world. Researchers have found that it is getting polluted due to cctive barrier (PRB) can be effective in cleaning the polluted aquifers. A PRB is an in situ permeable treatment zone designed to intercept and remediate a groundwater contaminant plume.

Geotechnical engineering patronises the philosophy that geomaterials are influenced by mechanical effects and basically deals with physical attributes of the material. Further, geomaterials are considered to be biologically inert, though geo-environment has been the host of microorganisms for more than 3 billion years, longer than the known human habitation which is 2 billion years.

The disposal and management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) generated due to population explosion, affluence, haphazard planning, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, in the present day scenario, are a major concern. Often, landfilling has been the most opted and popular option for disposing the large volumes of MSW, mainly due to the convenience associated with it. Incidentally, in the recent times, enhancement of the microbial activity is being used as a panacea to degrade the municipal solid waste. In this context, a Bioreactor Landfill (BLF) proves to be a promising solution.

Rapid industrialisation and growth in population has resulted in establishing industrial units all over the country and consume most of the natural resource, to meet the demand of the present generation. The after effect of these processes, which are the secondary products coming out of the industrial units are considered as waste materials, and are given least consideration by human beings to be used for beneficial application. Most often, these materials are dumped in the backyards of industrial units.

Planning developmental activities in locations having clayey (fine-grained) soil has always been a challenge to geotechnical engineers. Rheological approach, capable of small strain measurements, to understand the micro- mechanical process enables in revealing the response of such soils to external stresses. Correlations between soil specific and rheological parameters are being developed which would aid in obtaining quick first-hand information about site conditions.

Pump sump has its applications in many fields like thermal power plants, lift irrigation, water supply, etc. and the need for proper design and analysis of pump sump is increasing. For the efficient performance of the pumps, proper design of pump sump is necessary as the flow entering the pump is a key factor. Though there are many guidelines for such a design, an appropriate model study is required since each system is situation specific.

Extraordinary rainfall intensities during the last few years in India and other countries resulted in urban flooding incidents with both increased frequency and magnitude. In flood affected cities, this could lead to immense loss of life, property and livelihoods of its inhabitants. Coastal urban cities are vulnerable to flooding under combined influence of heavy rainfall and high tides. Hence, there is a need for development of urban flood inundation models which would enable an effective management of floods.

Indian Monsoon provides 80% of the annual rainfall in India and is associated with the northward shift of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ); governed by large scale circulation. It is believed to be dominated and controlled by distant moisture sources from oceans. However, the contributions from large evapo-transpiration flux, being generated from the land surface processes, specifically from the agriculture intensified Ganga basin, is largely overlooked.

This is an integrated and interoperable service platform or system for remote monitoring and decision support in precision horticulture. The project is a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborative initiative, lead by IITB, supported by the Information Technology Research Academy (ITRA) of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The project has unique approach with research, curriculum, outreach and social impact matrices.

Research and engineering interventions include:

In the vicinity of IIT Bombay campus lies Powai lake, known for its varied flora and fauna. But over the years in recent past, the lake has undergone enormous eutrophication (algal bloom) due to reckless discharge of untreated domestic effluents into the lake. This pathetic sight of a dirty lake is an eye sore for the public besides the slow decay of the lake. Hence, in order to find an effective remediation, our group along in collaboration with Prof. Yen Wah Tong from National University of Singapore is working to check water pollution in urban localities using green algae.

Public transport systems are regarded as efficient and environmental friendly as compared to personal transport. Nevertheless, the perceived advantage of public transport should not be taken for granted as it is sensitive to several factors viz. type of fuel and electricity used for running vehicles, material intensity of supporting transport infrastructure, service life of vehicles and infrastructure, etc. Therefore, our lab in collaboration with Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh from thinkstep sustainability solutions Pvt Ltd.